C&L Diners (Denny’s) Server Class Action
Connecticut Servers are suing C & L Diners (Denny’s) for minimum wage violations.
Q
I. Who are the Defendants?
A
C & L Diners (doing business as Denny’s) is a Connecticut restaurant chain that operates several restaurants in Connecticut, including Denny’s in Westbrook, Connecticut.
Q
II. What is this case about?A
Side-work. Restaurants must pay their servers the full minimum wage, currently $10.10/hr., for their entire shift unless they limit their work to waiting on tables and booths. If they make those servers do side-work, they must pay the side-work at the full minimum wage. These restaurants, including C & L’s Denny’s pay the lower server wage, $6.38/hr. for all hours worked, including side-work. We allege that this practice violates the law.
In 2017, a Connecticut judge awarded a server $22,455.94 in back wages against a restaurant who had a similar practice.
Q
III. What court is the case filed in?A
State Court. This case is filed in Connecticut Superior Court in New Haven.
Q
IV.Should I fear retaliation?A
No. It is illegal to retaliate against an employee who joins a lawsuit like this. If you experience retaliation, we will help you.
Q
V. Where can I go to get answers to my questions? How can I help?A
Call us. You are always welcome to call us at Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore. We will do their best to answer your questions. Our number is 860-522-8888. Ask about the Denny’s class action.
We are always interested in talking to servers who worked at Denny’s during the past two years to gather information which can help the case.
Q
VI. Where can I learn more about the law?A
Click here.https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/wgwkstnd/wage-hour/restaurant.htm. The Connecticut Department of Labor’s Gratuities in the Restaurant Industry webpage has more information about what constitutes “service” and “non-service” work (side-work).
Q
VII. Who are the lawyers?A
Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore, LLC. The server who brought this lawsuit is being represented by the Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore. We are experienced attorneys that have successfully handled cases like this in the past.
Q
VIII. How much can I expect to get?A
It depends. We claim that servers should be paid twice the amount of the full minimum wage for all hours worked, minus what Denny’s has already paid them.
Q
IX. Will I have to pay any legal fees or costs?A
No. We have agreed to work on this case on a “contingency” basis which means that our fee, and reimbursement for our costs, will come, if at all, out of any settlement. The court will closely supervise our fee petition and ensure that it is fair to the class.
X. What is the status of the case?
The following represents the status of the case as of the date indicated:
| DATE | COURT FILING | DESCRIPTION |
| November 19th, 2018 | Complaint | This is the lawsuit itself which includes the detailed allegations of wrongdoing. |